With the eventual aim of cultivating a professional environment, the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF), the local governing body, aims to create a structured and stringent anti-doping program and policy.
This was disclosed by executive member of the GMMAF, Dr Sawan Jagnarain during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport. According to Jagnarain, who is the entity’s head of anti-doping and medical advisor, “Globally, sporting federations and bodies have always been at the forefront to ensure fairness, inequality, un-bias act, and disadvantage to any sportsman or woman who treads competitively to attain success. Mixed Martial arts is a combat sport and a form of martial art that combines striking and grappling skills. Under the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the guidelines followed is that of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Hence, in Guyana, at the federation’s level, we adopt regulations and guidelines consistent with the IMMAF. This includes its anti-doping policy and national anti-doping policy.”He further stated, “This involves the implementation of a testing mechanism that supports testing as an important part of any effective anti-doping program, and the area that most often comes to mind when thinking about drug testing in sports anti-doping mechanisms. From testing, planning, and collection of a urine or blood sample, through the results management, provide a thorough process for any sparkling fighter.”
Jagnarain clarified, “These include: (1). Compliance: done to ensure the athletes are adhering to current standards and practices. (2). Integrity: this is an essential value to be inherent to this sport since it strengthens friendship, respect and excellence in the competitive world. (3). Ethics, fair play and honesty: Athletes should maintain the code of ethics of Mixed Martial Arts throughout training and competition. (4). Safety: promote a safe event without any act of extreme violence away from protocols. (5). Risks: the constant use of illicit drugs shortens the lifespan of athletes hence, earlier retirement and embarrassment. (6). Reputation of the sport: an illegal act can hinder the entire psyche of the team and other athletes can underperform while the team can lose sponsorship and respect. (7). Honesty: full disclosure to coaches and medical personnel of therapeutically using the substance in aid of daily medical and emotional wellbeing since waivers can be given where necessary. Highlighted, above are key indicators that can bring forth a qualified and match ready fighter for any bout under the IMMAF guidelines for excellence in anti-doping and testing.”
Asked how the association plans to institute the testing protocols and how can this benefit the growth of the sport especially from a professional standpoint, Jagnarain revealed that the entity is in communication with the IMMAF, with particular emphasis on the developing this capacity and infrastructure which is inclusive of training individuals in this area of expertise.
“Presently, the Federation has involved the IMMAF in discussion to grow the sport in the Caribbean and Guyana, with the need to train, implement and monitor personnel within the sporting arena involved in Anti-doping. Added, fighters will be screened locally and internationally. This will create a new benchmark for the federation in Guyana since it has polite itself with the need to produce clean fighters for many international booths ahead,” he explained,
“Our testing protocol will review the whole athlete i.e. (1) Ensure optimal medical health (asthma, diabetes, menstrual, depression) (2) Ensure optimal musculoskeletal health (3) Optimise performance (nutrition, psychology, and biomechanics) (4) Prevent injury (5) Review medications and vaccinations (6) Collect baseline data (blood tests, neuropsychological testing in contact sports) (7) Develop professional relationship with athlete (8) Educate. This will improve the athlete physical, mental, and social well-being to create an environment where fighters respected in the Guyanese society”, he further pointed out.
Guyana will be one of several countries competing in the IMMAF Youth World MMA Championships in Bulgaria from July 30 to August 2 and the IMMAF World Junior and Senior MMA Championships in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan, November 27 to December 5. This will be the first Youth and Senior World MMA Championships in which Guyana will participate.
